Showing 22 results for فلاح
F. Shokoohifar, A. Bagheri, M. Falahati Rastegar,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (summer 2003)
Abstract
The poor information available on variation of Ascochyta blight fungus is the most important factor limiting chickpea breeding programs for resistance to blight disease. In this study, efforts were made to detect genetic variation of the pathogen in Iran. The RAPD marker was employed to evaluate 26 isolates collected from 16 provinces. Twelve random primers were used to analyze genomic DNA of the isolates. Only ten primers showed polymorphism among isolates. Primer OPK-01 defined the highest number of polymorphism and primer OPK-09 confirmed relatively low degree of polymorphism. On the basis of this molecular marker, the estimated genetic diversity index was 98% and the pair-wise genetic distance of the isolates varied from 0.16 to 0.61. The least genetic distance belonged to isolates 20 and 22 from Qazvin and Golestan while the highest distance belonged to isolates 26 and 12 from Mazandaran and Markazi. The phylogenic tree was constructed by cluster analysis and all the isolates grouped to 22 genetic clusters at the 90% similarity level. The genetic groups were named from A to V and their distribution in Iran was determined. The results revealed that genetic variation among Iranian population of the pathogen is very high, and further that RAPD is a vigorous tool for genomic analysis of Ascochyta rabiei.
M. Alikhani, O. Fallahpour, G. Ghorbani,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (spring 2004)
Abstract
In order to determine the effects of using macaroni wastes instead of barley on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield and composition, and nutrient digestibility, eight lactating Holstein cows (4 primiparous and 4 multiparous) in midlactation were used in a 44 Latin square design. The experimental periods were 21 d with 16 d for adjustment and 5 d for data collection. Treatments included a control diet (1) and diets 2, 3, and 4 containing 15, 30, and 45% macaroni wastes, respectively, which were fed three times a day as total mixed rations. During the last 5 days of each period, feed and fecal samples were taken for determination of DMI and apparent digestibilities and milk samples for fat, protein, lactose, and solids no fat (SNF). During the last day of collection period, urine samples were collected 3 and 5 h postfeeding for pH determination.
The results showed no significant differences among experimental traits in either primiparous or multiparous, and across all cows. Milk yield and efficiency of feed conversion were nonsignificantly higher for diets 2, 3, and 4 compared with control cows. Compared to the control diet, DMI, fat, protein and SNF percentages did not significantly decrease in diets 3 and 4. From the results of this expriment, it may be concluded that replacing barley with macaroni wastes up to 45 percent could increase energy intake without any adverse effects on milk production and composition or on metabolic function in midlactating dairy cows.
A. Zeynaddini, B. Jafarpour, M. Flahaty Rastegar,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (summer 2005)
Abstract
The study of dispersion of alfalfa mosaic virus (ALMV) infection based on DAS-ELISA indicated that the fields of Alfalfa, potatoes and tomatoes from Chenaran, Ghochan, Shirvan, Mashhad, Neishaboor and Torbat Heydarieh were infected with the virus. The Statistical analysis indicated that the amount of infection did not differ in the surveyed regions and total mean of infection was 53 percent. The samples collected from the Alfalfa field of Mashhad was propagated in the Nicotiana tabacum L.cv Samsun and then virus was purified. The Mechanical inoculation of this isolate of the alfalfa mosaic virus (ALMV) induced the local lesion in Chenopodium quinoa,C. amaranticolor,Vigna unguiculata, Phaseolus vulgaris cv Redkidney and the systemic vein clearing and mosaic in Nicotiana glutinosa, N. tabacum cv. Samsun, Ocimum basilicum, Cicer arietinum and Lycopersicon esculentum. In the case of the infected Cucumis sativus, no symptoms was observed. ALMV was purified by the method of the kaiser and Robertson(1976). The virus yield was 11/05 mg per 100g of infected tissue on the basis of serological properties. This isolate of ALMV is similar to the American isolation in SDS-PAGE and Western Blot analysis,the molecular weight of the virus coat proteins were estimated at about 24000 daltons.in this regard,this isolation of ALMV is similar to the other isolates of ALMV reported elswhere.
M. Falahati-Anbaran, A. A. Habashi, M. Esfahany, S. A. Mohammadi, B. Ghareyazie,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (fall 2006)
Abstract
Annual medics are used for hey production, soil protection, biological fixation of N2 and green manure. In the present study, the inter and intra specific genetic diversity and relatedness of 4 diploid and two tetraploid (M. rugosa and M. scutellata) annual medics were evaluated using microsatellite markers. PCR analysis was performed on genomic DNA from individual plant and PCR products were detected using standard polyacrylamide sequencing gel. Totally twenty five polymorphic alleles were observed in the studied species. Average intra-specific genetic diversity ranged from zero (0.0) in both M. rugosa and M. scutellata to 0.114 in M. minima species, and the level of genetic diversity was similar in both M. orbicularis and M. truncatula species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was used to partition the overall genetic diversity into within and among species, and between diploids and tetraploids. The results revealed significant (P<0.05) inter and intra-specific genetic variation. Pairwise comparisons based on Fst indicated significant differences among all of the species. Clustering analysis using UPGMA algorithm based on coancestary coefficient revealed a clear genetic relationship among species. The hypothesis on a common origin of two tetraploid species was supported by UPGMA clustering and phylogenetic analysis. The high level of Genetic diversity in spiny pod species respect to spineless pod species suggested the high importance of species with spiny pods in annual medics evolution. The findings support the usefulness of microsatellite markers for assessing inter and intra specific genetic diversity, differentiation and genetic relationships.
H. Fallahi, M. Motallebi, M.r. Zamani,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (winter 2007)
Abstract
Ascochyta blight caused by Ascochyta rabiei is one of the major diseases of chickpea (Cicer arientinum) in Iran. Many phytopathogenic microorganisms, incuding A .rabiei, attack their host plant by secreting pectic enzymes including polygalacturonase (PG) which causes modification of cell-wall structure, increasing accessibility of cell-wall components for degradation by other enzymes. Polygalacturonase is the major factor in the initiation of Ascochyta blight disease, therefore in this study, the enzyme was purified from a virulent isolate of A .rabiei (IK06). Fungi were cultured in PZ medium culture media were harvested and after dialysis used for purification. Purification was achieved by Carboxy Methyl Sepharose Fast Flow ion exchange column equilibrated to pH= 5.5. Zero to one molar NaCl gradient was used for elution of the proteins from the column. Determination of protein content and enzyme activity of each fraction showed that PG was eluted from the column in 0.3 to 0.4 M salt. The purity of the protein and the MW of the enzyme were determined using SDS-PAGE technique. The MW was found to be around 27 KDa. The activity of the purified protein was also evaluated using polyacrylamide gel containing pectin as substrate (zymogram gel). Optimum pH for the purified enzyme was 7.5.
S. Fallah, A. Ghalavand, M. R. Khajehpour,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (summer 2007)
Abstract
It is necessary to use organic fertilizers and decrease chemical fertilizers consumption to reach sustainable agriculture. Thus, to study the effects of manure incorporation methods, and integrated effects of poultry manure with chemical fertilizers on the grain yield and yield components of maize, an experiment was conducted in 2004 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Lorestan Weather Department, 30 kms northeast of Khorramabad. The treatments were arranged in a split plot layout based on randomized complete block design with four replications. The main plots consisted of incorporation of fertilizer with soil by furrower or disk. The subplots included T0: control (no consumption of fertilizer and poultry manure) T1: 200, 100, and 100 kg ha-1 of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively T2: 80% of T1+ 4 ton ha-1 of poultry manure T3: 60% of T1+ 8 ton ha-1 of poultry manure T4: 40% of T1+ 12 ton ha-1 of poultry manure T5: 20% of T1+ 16 ton ha-1 of poultry manure and T6: 20 ton ha-1 of poultry manure. The results showed that incorporation of fertilizer by furrower, compared with disk, led to significant increase in plant height, 1000 seed weight and grain and biological yields. However, there were not significant differences in the number of seed per ear and harvest index between the two fertilizer incorporation methods. Fertilizer treatments caused significant increase of the treats mentioned except for the harvest index. The interaction effects were not significant for any traits. T5 treatment produced the highest grain yield, and was significantly different from T0, T1, T3 and T6 treatments. The differences between T1 (chemical nutrition system) and T6 (organic nutrition system) were not significant either. Effectiveness of integrated poultry manure and chemical fertilizers on maize yield components was higher than either poultry manure or chemical fertilizer. The results of this experiment indicated that incorporation of 16 ton poultry manure + 40, 20 and 20 kg ha-1 N, P and K with furrower might be appropriate for maize prodution under conditions similar to this experiment.
S. Fallah,
Volume 12, Issue 45 (fall 2008)
Abstract
To study the effects of planting date and density on yield and its components in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes under dryland conditions of Khorram-Abad, an experiment was conducted during 2005-2006 growing season at the Agricultural Research Station of Lorestan Weather Department. Three sowing dates (March 6, March 21, and April 5) and two chickpea genotypes (Greet and Flip 93-93) with four plant densities (18, 24, 30 and 36 plants m-2 ) were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with split-factorial design in three replications. Dates of planting were considered as the main plots, genotypes and plant densities were randomly distributed in sub-plots with factorial arrangement. The result showed that delay in planting from March 6 to April 5 significantly reduced number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, 100-grain weight, grain yield and dry matter. Increasing plant density led to a significant decrease in number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod and 100-grain weight. However, grain yield and dry matter increased firstly with increasing plant density and then decreased. Planting date and density had no significant effect on harvest index, while genotype of Greet produced a larger number of pods per plant, grain yield as well as final dry matter. Also Flip93-93 produced a bigger number of grains per pod, greater grain weight and harvest index. The maximum grain yield was obtained with genotype of Greet at the first planting date in 30 plants m-2 density. It could be concluded that due to thermal and drought stress occurring in late spring,, early planting of Greet genotype at 24-30 plants/m2 may lead to a suitable increase in grain yield.
A.m Amini, ,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (fall 2009)
Abstract
The main purpose of this research is to study the success of rural cooperative companies and evaluate different factors which may influence such a success. For this purpose, sample companies were randomly selected based on multistage and stratification sampling with proportional allocation method,. Finally, 18 rural co-operative companies were studied using questionnaires filled out by 328 ordinary members and 93 members of board of directors and managers of these rural co-operative companies. Inter-organization and intra-organization and structure variables which affected the companies performance and achievement were studied. The findings showed poor performance of these companies. According to the current research, some variables such as membership experience, co-operative structure, co-operative investment, enhancement of member share, education, participation and level of training, awareness (ability) of members have a direct influence on companies' success. The other factors involving function of rural co-operative organization, use of managers’ misuses and abuses in co-operatives have a direct, but negative influence. Share mean value of each member, management experience knowledge and age of people have also indirect positive effect on success and the size has indirect negative influence on co-operative companies .
S Falhakar, A Saffianian, S.j Khajeddin, H Ziaei,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (4-2009)
Abstract
Remote sensing is the main technology for assessing expansion and rate of land cover changes. Knowing the different kinds of land cover changes and human activities in different parts of lands, as the base information for different planning is especially important. In this study, the land cover changes of Isfahan city that is consist of Isfahan and its` surrounded area was studied for the past 4 decades. For researching the study objectives, the aerial photos with scale of 1:50000 taken in 1955, MSS, TM and ETM+ images from Landsat satellite taken respectively in 1972, 1990 and 2001 and the topography maps of Isfahan city and its` surrounding were used. All of the aerial photos and satellite images with the nearest neighbor sampling were georegistered with the RMSe less than one pixel. For image processing, the best false colored composite image was first produced according to OIF index. Then land cover maps of the studied area were produced in 5 classes by using the combination of supervised and unsupervised classification and NDVI index. At the end, the produced maps compared with post-classification method. The results showed that the most urban area sprawl was occurred between 1972-1990 with the mean of 571 ha in a year and the least growth was come about between 1955-1972 with approximately 324 ha in a year. However, by declining the annual mean of green cover 1263 ha during 1955-1972, the most green cover demolition occurred in study area.
S Falahati Por, H Shahsavand Hasani, A Baghizadeh, Gh Karimzadeh,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (7-2009)
Abstract
The genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) has been used to identify euploidy and aneuploidy in segregation generations of various plants. In this study, the GISH with minor modifications including, slide preparation of putative secondary Tritipyrum (F2) root meristemic cells, labeled genomic DNA of Thinopyrum bessarabicum by fluorescein 12-dUTP nucleotide as probe, genomic DNA of Thinopyrum bessarabicum for in situ hybridization on root meristemic cells of F2 (2n=6x=42, AABBDEb) and unlabeled Chinese Spring cultivar in pre hybridization, was carried out for the first time in Iran. The results not only indicated the various Eb chromosomes in putative 6x secondary Tritipyrum plants, but also showed different numbers of A, B and D chromosomes. The range of aneuoploidy in F2 genotypes was from %30 to %66.7, which could be due to various numbers of Eb and D chromosomes in each genotype. The selfing or back crossing of F2 plants with bread wheat varieties could lead to chromosomal stability and aneoploidy reduction in secondary Tritipyrum genotypes.
E Mahdikhani Moghadam, H Rouhani, M Flahi Rastegar,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (7-2009)
Abstract
Sugar beet cyst forming nematode (Heterodera schachtii) is one of the most important pathogens of the sugar beet in Iran. For biological control of Heterodera schachtii, 10 isolates of Trichoderma related to two species T. harzianum and T. virens were examined in laboratory and green house on eggs and cysts for two years. Results obtained from the laboratory assay showed that isolates of Trichoderma parasitized 60% eggs on average. Among them two isolates T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1with % 76.18 and %72.55 parasitism, respectively, showed more efficiency compared with the control. In green house, experiments were carried out in autoclaved and non autoclaved soils (field soils) separately with 12 treatments and 3 replications including non infested control (using Ragbi nematicide in field soils experiment), and infested control treated with isolates of Trichoderma using Randomized Complete Design. Then analysis of variance for the bio-control potential of isolates, final population of nematode, fresh and dry root weight, fresh and dry leaves weight inoculated with isolates of Trichoderma was carried out. The results revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) between treatments and control according to Duncan,s Multiple Range Test. T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1 decreased population of nematodes, and increased yield in autoclaved and field soils. In autoclaved soils, the two isolates (T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1) decreased population of nematodes by %76.68 and %72.65, respectively compared with the control. The Ragbi nematicide, T. harzianum Bi and T. virens VM1 decreased population of nematodes by %81.65, %75.15 and %72.85, respectively compared with the control in field soils experiments.
J. Fallahzade, M.a Hajabbasi ,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (spring 2010)
Abstract
Determination of carbohydrates in soil requires prior extraction and numerous extraction methods were suggested for this purpose. Three methods and five extractants were applied in order to extract carbohydrate fraction in three soil types forest, clayey and saline soils. The extraction methods were: 1) shaken in a plane rotary shaking machine for 16 h 2) heated in steam-bath for 2.5 h and 3) heated in oven for 24 h and extractants included 1) 0.5 M HCL, (2) 0.25 M H2SO4, 3) 0.5 M H2SO4, 4) 0.5 M K2SO4 and 5) distilled water. Carbohydrate content in soil was measured by phenol-sulphuric acid method. The addition of phenol to the extracted solution of HCl caused to milky precipitation. Therefore, this extractant can not be used for carbohydrate extraction in the phenol-sulphuric acid spectroscopic method. The results showed that in all soils and in the shaker extraction method, carbohydrate content was lower than in the oven and steam-bath extraction methods. In the forest and saline soils, the extracted carbohydrate content was not significantly different among the oven and steam-bath methods. For the clayey soil, the carbohydrate content was higher in the oven method than that of the steam-bath method. In all soils, the extracted carbohydrate by 0.5 M H2SO4 extractant was greater than those of other extractants. In the forest and saline soils, the extracted carbohydrate by distilled water was lower than those of other extractants. Using steam-bath method (for the forest and saline soils) and oven method (for the clayey soil) with 0.5 M H2SO4 extracted the highest amount of carbohydrates.
M. Fereidooni Naghani , F. Raiesi , S. Fallah ,
Volume 14, Issue 54 (winter 2011)
Abstract
The addition of organic and inorganic substrates to calcareous soils low in organic matter and nitrogen contents may change soil microbial biomass and activity. In order to investigate the effect of chemical and organic fertilizers on soil CO2 production and microbial biomass C, a field experiment was conducted under maize cultivation. The experimental design was split-plot arranged in randomized complete blocks with 7 treatments including 3.8, 7.6 and 11.5 ton ha-1 broiler litter and 100, 200 and 300 kg nitrogen ha-1 from urea and a control with 4 replications. The results showed that fertilizer, manure and sampling day had a significant effect (P<0.05) on soil CO2 fluxes. Mean soil CO2 emissions increased from 21.8 g C m-2 soil in control treatments to 24.1 in the second level of broiler litter. Furthermore, the CO2 fluxes in broiler litter treatments were significantly greater than those in urea-treated plots. Similar to CO2 fluxes, the amount of soil microbial biomass C was also affected significantly (P<0.05) by fertilizer and manure applications. Soil microbial biomass C was 28% higher in broiler litter-amended plots than that in urea-amended plots. In contrast, the microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2) in urea-treated soils was 10% higher than that in broiler litter-treated soils. In conclusion, broiler litter and urea fertilizer improved biological properties in this calcareous soil, but broiler litter, especially the highest litter loading, was more effective than urea fertilizer.
J. Fallahzade , M. A. Hajabbasi,
Volume 15, Issue 55 (spring 2011)
Abstract
The salt–affected lands in arid regions of central Iran are characterized by low rainfall, low fertility, high evaporation and salinity. The cultivation of salt–affected lands may have a major influence on soil quality. The aim of this study was to determine the response of soil quality indicators to reclamation and cultivation of salt–affected lands occurring in Abarkooh plain, central Iran. Soil quality indicators were evaluated in three land use systems including salt-affected land, wheat, and alfalfa fields. Composite soil samples were collected at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm layers and analyzed for soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, particulate organic carbon in macro-aggregates (POCmac) and micro-aggregates (POCmic), organic carbon mineralization and wet aggregate stability. The cultivation of salt–affected land caused a significant decrease in electrical conductivity at all layers and increased the amount of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbohydrate, POCmac, POCmic, and organic carbon mineralization. At all layers, the POCmac/POCmic ratio in the alfalfa fields was higher than that in the wheat fields. The cultivation of salt-affected land caused a significant increase in soil aggregate stability (MWD) at all layers. In most cases, the amounts of soil organic matter and MWD were greater in alfalfa than in the wheat fields, reflecting a better soil quality and thus higher potential for increasing soil organic carbon sequestration in the alfalfa fields
S. Falahati, E. Adhami,
Volume 19, Issue 71 (spring 2015)
Abstract
Current study conducted to evaluate the effects of vermicompost and zeolite on the kinetics of nickel (Ni) fixation. Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of two vermicompost levels (zero and 2 w/w percent), three zeolite levels (zero and 4 w/w percent of zeolite of Firoozkoh, and Semnan) and two soil textures (clay and sandy loam) in three replications. All treatments were spiked with 50 or 100 mg Ni kg-1. DTPA extractable Ni was determined after 5, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days. Ni availability was higher in sandy loam texture. Vermicompost application increased Ni availability in sandy loam texture in all the designated times. Zeolite application had no significant effect on Ni availability. The trend of Ni availability decrease was composed of two distinct stages with high and low Ni fixation rates. In the first step which continued up to 30 d, the available Ni fixation rate was high and then decreased sharply. Ni fixation data was suitably prescribed using simple Elovich and exponential equations. It seems that vermicompost has a greater effect to prevents Ni fixation and to retain it in available form in light texture soils. On the other hand, it seems that zeolite does not have any considerable effect on Ni fixation in calcareous soils.
M. Fallah Sourki, A. Kavian, E. Omidvar,
Volume 20, Issue 77 (Fall 2016)
Abstract
Prioritization of sub-watersheds is very important and necessary in order to implement soil and water conservation practices. This study has prioritized 13 sub-watersheds based on morphometric and land use characteristics using RS and GIS techniques in Haraz watershed to identify erosion-prone sub-watersheds. Morphometric characteristics including bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, drainage texture, form factor, basin circularity, compactness coefficient, elongation ratio, length of overland flow, shape index, and basin relief were considered in morphometric analysis. Land use map was classified into seven classes of forest, water-body, irrigated farming, bare land, rangeland, orchard and residential area. Finally, sub-watersheds were classified into four categories as very high, high, medium and low in terms of priority for soil conservation. On the basis of morphometric analysis sub-watershed WS-4 was considered as high priority, whereas according to land use analysis, sub-watersheds WS-6, WS-8, WS-12 were in class of high priority. Sub-watershed WS-4 was categorized as a very high priority class based on the integration of morphometric and land use analysis. This region was identified as critical region therefore should be considered as priority class for implementation of soil and water conservation practices.
M. M. Fallahi, B. Yaghoubi, F. Yosevfand, S. Shabanlou,
Volume 24, Issue 3 (Fall 2020)
Abstract
Rainfall may be considered as the most important source of drinking water and watering land in different areas all over the world. Therefore, simulation and estimation of the hydrological phenomenon is of paramount importance. In this study, for the first time, the long-term rainfall in Rasht city was simulated using an optimum hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) model over a 62 year period from 1956 to 2017. The gene expression programming (GEP) and wavelet transform (WT) were combined to develop the hybrid AI model (WGEP). Firstly, the most effective lags of time series data were identified by means of the autocorrelation function (ACF); then eight various GEP and WGEP models were defined. Next, the GEP models were analyzed and the superior GEP model as well as the most influenced lags was detected. For instance, the variance accounting for (VAF), correlation coefficient (R) and scatter index (SI) for the superior GEP model was calculated to be 0.765, 0.508 and 0.709, respectively. Additionally, lags (t-1), (t-2), (t-3) and (t-12) were the most influenced. Then, the different mother wavelets were examined, indicating that the demy mother wavelet was the most optimal one. Moreover, analyzing the numerical simulations showed that the mother wavelet enhanced the performance of the GEP model significantly. For example, the VAF index for the superior WGEP model was increased almost three times after using the mother wavelet. Furthermore, the R and MARE statistical indices for the WGEP model were computed to be 0.935 and 0.862, respectively.
S. Falahati, E. Adhami, H. Owliaie,
Volume 27, Issue 1 (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Due to the importance of nickel (Ni), and the effect of common soil additives on Ni fractions distribution, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of zeolite and vermicompost on nickel fractions over time. The experimental design consisted of a factorial combination of two levels of vermicompost (zero and 2% by weight), three levels of zeolite (zero, 4% by weight of Firoozkooh zeolite, and 4% by weight of Semnan zeolite), and two soil texture (clay and sandy loam) in a completely randomized design in triplicates. Treatments were contaminated with 50 and 100 mg nickel/kg soil. Ni fractions were extracted and measured at 20 and 60 days. The results showed that in initial soils, Car-Ni in sandy loam soil was higher than in clay soil, while the content of Fe, Mn- Ox Ni, OM-Ni, and Res-Ni in the clay soil was higher. In sandy loam soil, more nickel was recovered in Exch- and Car-fractions, while nickel recovery was higher in Mn, Fe-Ox Ni, OM-Ni, and Res-Ni in the clay texture. Zeolite addition caused a significant decrease of Exch- and Car-Ni in the clay soil on 60d and 100 mg/kg Ni level. Exch-Ni was reduced due to vermicompost application. Vermicompost application caused the decrease in Fe, Mn Ox-Ni in both studied soils and times, and OM-Ni increased by vermicompost application. Aging generally reduces the Exch-Ni but changes in Car-Ni over time depending on the soil texture. Aging did not affect Mn, Fe-Ox Ni, and Res-Ni, while OM-Ni increased over time in clay soil.
Masoud Nasr Esfahani, Ali Talebi, Ehsan Fathi, Ali Akbar Mahdavian Cheshmegol, Abolghasem Felahati,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (Spring 2026)
Abstract
The health and sustainability of a watershed are complex issues that must be evaluated from social, economic, and environmental perspectives using a variety of indicators. The objective of this study is to assess the sustainability and health status of the Khansar watershed in Yazd Province based on the modified WHSI model. This model, developed in accordance with local conditions in Iran and the available variables, includes 34 key variables, comprising 13 social variables, 5 hydrological variables, 10 water quality variables, and 6 land-use–related variables. In this study, ten-year data were collected for each variable and scored using quantitative methods. According to the results, 11 variables were in good condition, one variable was moderate, three variables were weak, and 19 variables were in a critical state. The WHSI model analysis showed that the social indicators were in a relatively better condition, whereas the hydrological, water quality, and land-use variables were predominantly in a critical state. The findings of this study also indicated that the health status of the Khansar watershed in Yazd, with a score of 74, falls within the intermediate health category, while its sustainability, with a score of 12, is classified as unsustainable. The results of this research provide a precise depiction of the critical variables and can serve as a foundation for formulating targeted management policies, improving the quality and quantity of water resources, restoring vegetation cover, controlling unsustainable exploitation, and strengthening climate adaptation programs. In doing so, it can play a significant role in enhancing resilience and improving the health and sustainability of the watershed.
Marziyeh Pourazizi, Sina Fallah,
Volume 30, Issue 3 (Fall 2026)
Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of four fertilization systems—no fertilizer, urea-based chemical fertilizer, cow manure, and combined urea and cow manure—on nitrogen mineralization and dry matter yield in sorghum cultivated on sandy loam soil with low fertility. Nitrogen mineralization potential (N₀) was assessed using a first-order kinetic model across various fertilizer treatments. Results indicated that urea-based treatments exhibited superior nitrogen mineralization potential compared to cow manure and combined treatments, with N₀ values ranging from 13.46 to 17.89 mg N/kg soil. Combined fertilization (urea + cow manure) consistently produced higher N₀k values, suggesting enhanced nitrogen availability and mineralization rates. Correspondence between nitrogen mineralization peaks and critical sorghum growth stages was observed, particularly during vegetative and reproductive phases. The highest dry matter yield was achieved with 240 kg N/ha from combined fertilizer, although 160 kg N/ha from the same source yielded comparably. These findings highlight the synergistic benefits of integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers to optimize nitrogen dynamics and crop productivity in low-fertility soils.
